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Residents flock back to CPR walkway
Walkers and cyclists welcomed a new and improved pedestrian bridge over the Otonabee River Sunday as they strolled or rode along the popular thoroughfare between East City and the south end of Peterborough’s downtown.
The bridge, which replaces a walkway that was closed due to safety concerns in November 2011, opened Friday, re-establishing the well-used route.
The city spent $3.38 million to build the bridge and repair damage to the adjacent railway bridge that was caused by the former walkway.
Originally scheduled to open in May, the project was delayed by weather conditions.
“I used the old footbridge, but not a lot,” said Chris Parker, who lives in the city’s southeast end and was strolling the bridge in the late-morning sunshine with his children, Sawyer, 8, and three-year-old Georgia.
“We just came down here to see the new one,” he said. “It’s a nice morning for a walk. Not as hot as it has been. I’ve never lived anyplace where I have had to cross it on a daily basis, but I’m glad it’s open. I think it’s a nice addition to the trail system. It was kind of broken for a while and now you can get from the east side of the river to the west side, and I think a lot of people will use it.”
Cyclist Eric Wagner, of Western Ave. was eastbound with two friends on their way to Lakefield. “I used the other one a couple of times, but not much,” he said. “It’s a good starting point, coming through here and hooking on to the East City trail. I think it’s great. I like it and I think they did a good job. It’s nice and wide and it’s safe.”
“I used to live in East City and had to walk across the old one to get to work,” said fellow cyclist Ian Beggs, of Ida. “This is much better.”
Ian Quist, of Lake St., the third member of the biking trio, used the old footbridge for about four years to walk to work. “It was inconvenient when it closed,” he said, “very much so. Hopefully it will stay open this time.”
He said he no longer needs to cross the bridge to get to work, “but I’ll start using it to get across town.”
“When I was a kid it was just the train bridge,” said Angela Thompson, of Hilliard St. “I didn’t even know that this was being constructed, and I live here. Isn’t that horrible?”
She discovered the bridge as she walked by Sunday, she said.
“I was like, ‘Wow, this is new.’ I think it’s excellent. I will absolutely use it. It’s nice, and it’s better than using the train bridge. It’s good to see it. It keeps our kids safe.”
The new three-metre-wide, paved walkway is connected to the railway bridge piers instead of directly to the bridge deck.